The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-02-18
A DASTARDLY VILLAS,
REJECTED AS A LOVER, FOR
REVENGE,
Sets Fire to the House in Which
His Lady Love is Visiting and
Makes His Escape.
LsPEcIAL 10 1HK APPRAL.I

NAShNlLLE, Tenn, foDIuhiy 10
An investigation a. to the burning OF
Mr.. R Jesse Nolen's residence, in the
Sixth. District, Monday morning, has
developed a sensation. The calling OF
the inmates at the time Of the fire, by
some n who disappeared when the
door was opened, led people to be-
lieve that the FIRE was the work Of an
incendiary, and inquiries confirmed
this theory. On the morning OF the
fire Mr.. Nolen and his wife were in
the city, and the house wa occupied
by Mrs Hamlet Mrs. Nolen's motoer),
three of Mrs. Nolen's children and
Miss Matte Osmeht. The lstter lives
in the neighborhood. A Banner re-
porter learned the facts OF the burning
early Monday morning, and informed
Mr.. Nolen, who was in the city.
That gentleman Immediately re-
signed his position on the grand
Jury and went home to
lock into the matter. He returned to
the city Yesterday and at once swore
out warrants gainst Elisha Grisgs and
James Ballejack, charging them with
arson. 1t appsars that Balleiack had
for some time been paying court TO
Miss Osment, but being discarded
and learning that she was to be mar
ried to John Briefly, Balleiack de-
termined to be revenged. He visited
her house on Sunday evening and told
her he would kill her betore she
should marry Briefly. The young
lady paid no attention to the threat
and that night went to Mr.. Nolsn's
house 10 remain over night with Mrs.
Hamlet. Several minutes before the
fire broke out Miss Osment said she
heard some one moving about IN the
house, when a man called at the
door, telling them the house was on
fire. She went to the window, and
saw Ballejack standing on the porch.
One of Mr.. Noes little sons, when he
heard someone speak outside, said :
"Why, that is Jim Ballejack." He
was commanded by Miss Osment to
keep quiet. The inmates rushed out
of the house to fiud it ia flames, but
Ballejack could not be found. Several
other persons 10 the mel lhborhood, it
is said, saw Ballejack leaving. the
house soon after the alarm was given.
Yesterday afternoon Officer Bolton ar
rested Grigg5, who was committed TO
Jail. Griggs is an ignorant youth
about Is years Of age, and does not
seem to realize the enor11ity OF his
crime. He said that on Sunday night
about 10 o'clock he was at Bal!ejack's
house, when Ballejgck offered him
s. to 90 with him TO Mr., Nolen's resi-
dence, saying he wanted to steal Miss
Osment. On the way Ballet sck dis
played a rope and razor, saying he in
tended 10 kill her because she had re-
fused to marry him. When the two
reached the house Ballejack went into
the kitchen and saturated the floor
with coal oil. He went to the wood
pile and got an srmiul OF kindling and
also poured coal oil on this. He applied
a match and after the fire got under a
full Roadway he attempted to burst
open the bedroom door, but failed and
called to the inmates to get out. He
and Griggs ran away, but seeing that
the occupants had not com, out
they returned and gave the
alarm. Gtiggs said that Bal.
lejack then left the latter,
saying he wa going to West Tennes-
BEE "a his brothers.. Upon this in
formation Nh. Nolen and Detective
Mcconnell left last night in search OF
the fugitive. Ballejack was at his
home in the Sixth District yesterday,
but when an attempt was made to ar
rest him he fed.